The Yankees are looking for catching help, and one ESPN prediction has them landing a name that would change the conversation behind the plate: Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks.
David Schoenfield sees New York making the move this summer, writing, "Marlins trade Liam Hicks to the Yankees," and adding, "... Hicks is the better fit, even though he has spent more time at DH than catcher for the Marlins."
That detail matters. Hicks has not been used as a full-time catcher in Miami, logging 26 games at first base and 41 at designated hitter. Even so, he has still caught 37 games, and the bat is doing most of the heavy lifting here.
Hicks is hitting .283 with 97 hits in 343 at-bats. He has scored 54 runs, doubled 14 times, tripled once, and homered 14 times while driving in 60 runs. He also has three stolen bases, a 38-walk to 38-strikeout split, and a .799 OPS.
The production comes with real punch. Hicks owns a 125 OPS+, which means he has been 25% better than the league-average hitter this season. For a Yankees club searching for catching upgrades, that kind of offense from the position would stand out fast.
There’s a catch, though: Hicks is 27 and under club control through 2030, so Miami would not be giving him away. He may not cost as much as Colorado’s asking price for Hunter Goodman, but he would still require a meaningful return.
That’s the kind of price Brian Cashman would have to weigh if he wants to attack a wide-open American League at the deadline. If the Yankees are serious about upgrading catching, Hicks would be a strong answer - and a logical one to replace Austin Wells.
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Marsees timing matters because the Marlins have already been adjusting his playing time, looking for more offense in spots and trying to create room for other outfield options as the season moves on. He has shown enough progress to keep the conversation from turning entirely negative, but the pressure around his role is real, and every extra-base hit now carries a little more weight than it would for a player with a longer track record. [Read more 🡒]